Vegan Brewery to Open in Kentucky

V-Grits Food Co. plans to open its first brick and mortar restaurant and brewery in Louisville in April.

V-Grits Food Co. partnered with microbrewery False Idol Independent Brewers to create one of the first 100-percent vegan restaurant and brewery combinations in the United States. The company previously operated as a Southern-style vegan food truck and currently produces a line of ready-made vegan foods. Founders Jeff Hennis and Kristina Addington—the first vegan chef to appear on, and win, Food Network's culinary competition Cutthroat Kitchen—partnered with False Idol’s owner Shawn Steele to develop the restaurant’s craft beer offerings. The menu will be comprised of organic dishes such as V-Grits’ classic loaded macaroni and cheese, as well as feature beer cheeses and beer batters made with False Idol’s brews. “We are animal activists, health advocates, tree-huggers,” Addington said, “and we just want to make the world a little kinder. With the restaurant and brewery, our ultimate goal is to make the vegan lifestyle easy, accessible, and as exciting as possible, for everyone.” V-Grits’ restaurant concept will open in April, with the brewery to follow in summer 2018. Fellow Louisville-based vegan company Louisville Vegan Jerky opened its eatery, Morels Cafe, last spring.